The expanding list of running backs with pass-catching abilities has created a dramatic shift in fantasy football — especially PPR (points per reception) leagues.
Considering the high rate of touches they receive and the short dump passes that add up, it’s not a surprise. But, running backs average 3.3 seasons in the NFL because of the damage they take, leaving room for new players to emerge consistently. There’s an ever-revolving door of backs that will flow and fantasy owners can take advantage of that early.
Here are six sleeper choices that won’t gain much national attention at the start of the season, but have potential to rise as stars by the end.
Lamar Miller
Lamar Miller is the only player on the list who shouldn’t be listed as a sleeper, but his health circumstances landed him here. Miller signed with the New England Patriots on Monday night after missing the 2019 season with the Houston Texans because of a torn ACL and MCL.
The 29-year-old running back has averaged 834 rushing yards and 224 receiving yards in his seven-year career. Miller’s sleeper status comes from the depth ahead of him with Sony Michel and James White. He’s coming off a Pro Bowl season in 2018 and has the potential to quickly become the primary back if Michel’s injury concerns don’t dissipate.
Miller finished 23rd in fantasy points in 2018 and it was largely to due with his 163 receiving yards — the second-lowest in his career. He’s joining a Josh McDaniels offense that thrives off of dump passes, which will be instrumental in helping Cam Newton gain comfortability in the offense.
Miller will make an immediate impact if his health allows him and could very easily shoot up to the No. 1 role early in the season. He’ll begin as an RB2 or flex option, but could quickly ascend into the top-tier fantasy role he once claimed.
Chase Edmonds
Chase Edmonds has an extremely high ceiling. The third-year running back will enter a backfield that let go of David Johnson and features Kenyan Drake — who hasn’t started a full slate of 16 games in his four-year career.
He’s a strong candidate to pick up in the middle rounds and the rewards will be reaped early in the season. The Arizona Cardinals’ offense is ascending under Kyler Murray and with the addition of DeAndre Hopkins. Edmonds averaged 5.1 yards per carry last season, while erupting for 126 yards and three touchdowns in the only game he played more than 65 percent of the team’s snaps.
Edmonds will start off as a flex option, but his potential to quickly rise will make him worth the pick.
Matt Breida
Matt Breida’s three-year career in the NFL has been overshadowed by running back committees. He left the San Francisco 49ers and will play alongside Jordan Howard with the Miami Dolphins — once again sharing responsibilities in the backfield.
Breida, 25, has at least 105 carries in each of his first three seasons and hasn’t ranked lower than 13th in yards per carry. Howard is more of a traditional starting back, leaving Breida as the second option — which could help fantasy owners in drafting him late. Breida is a flex option with the potential to take over throughout the season and earn RB2 status.
Breida’s projected for a season of 500-plus rushing yards and nearly 300 receiving yards by ESPN, making him a solid sleeper to pick up in late rounds.
Cam Akers
Cam Akers is the only rookie to make this list and it’s because of his potential to take over the starting role with the Los Angeles Rams. The 5-foot-10, 217 pound running back will fight with Malcom Brown and Darrell Henderson for the No. 1 spot.
Rookies like Clyde Edwards-Helaire are set up with a starting role in front of them and will be viewed as an RB1 or RB2 immediately. Akers, drafted 52nd overall, is an under-the-radar product out of Florida State that rushed for 1,144 yards and 14 touchdowns in 2019 — along with 225 receiving yards and four receiving touchdowns.
Akers will likely start off as a goal-line specialist and that alone is worth a middle round pick for the rookie. He will become an RB2 very quickly and could even shoot up to an RB1 by the end of the season.
Alexander Mattison
Alexander Mattison is another young player who’s handcuffed by the team’s starting back — Dalvin Cook in this case. Mattison is entering his second year after recording 100 rushes for 462 yards and a touchdown.
He’s already shown RB1 potential in fantasy, but Cook’s elite skillset will likely prevent Mattison from having a breakout season. Cook hasn’t played a full slate of 16 games in his three year career and it could leave the opportunity open for Mattison to take over.
Mattison averaged 4.6 yards per carry last season and is worth drafting in the mid-rounds. He won’t be worth a starting spot on your fantasy roster at first this season, but he’ll be worth stashing.
Justin Jackson
Justin Jackson is a workhorse running back for the Los Angeles Chargers. Melvin Gordon is gone and Jackson will be alongside Austin Ekeler this season — who can almost be considered a wide receiver as well.
Jackson is a mid-round fantasy pick that’ll be worth drafting, even if the starting back plays the entire season. He only had 29 touches last season and produced 200 yards, averaging a whopping 6.9 yards per carry. He also has caught 24 of the 30 passes that have went his way, giving him an advantage for PPR leagues this season.
He’s positioned for a breakout season and the only thing that would stop him would be the quick uprise of 2020 fourth-round pick Joshua Kelley.
